Railway-traffic-controlling apparatus.



P. J. AGKERMAN'.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11, 1912. 1,131,979 Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

I H Q H l R a 1 T m n 5 E N A wv W A 5 w: m a I 3 TUE WITNESSES THENORRIS PETERS 60.. PHOTOVLITHOY. WASHINGTONv D. c.

P. J. AGKERMAN.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.11,1912.

1,131,979. Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

lll l l l WITNESSES INVENTOR JZM ,dm

YHE NORRIS PETERS CD, PHDTO-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. D. C.

F. J. AGKERMAN.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC CONTROLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.11,1912.

Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

INVENTOR WITNESSES THE NORRIS PETERS 50., PHOTC-LITHO.. WASHINGTON, D.C.

- was ,4 %/Z%%%3M% M 6 1 F. J'.' ACKERMAN. RAILWAY TBAFFIG CONTROLLINGAPPARATUS. APPLIOATION FILEDNOV. 11, 1912.

1,1 31,979. Patented Mar. 16, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

//VI 01 A 7/0/1/ FIG.4

93 48 vA ma ,5;7245.4i

HE VENTQR THE NORRIS PETERS 60., PHOTO-LITHD., WASHINGTON, D. C.

P. J. AOKERMAN.

RAILWAY TRAFFIC GONTEOLLING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION TILED NOV. 11, 1912 Patented Mar. 16,1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

mvENToR WITNESSES NQBRIS PETERS 60.. PHDTO-LlTHO-, WASHINGIUN, D. C.

FRANK J. .ACK'ERMAN-, orarrrrseunerr, rnnnsatnvenia Assistance-.1 0. rnnUNION ES'VV'IEECHv & SIGNAL COMPANY, .OF SWISSVHLE,,PENNSYLVANIA, A.GORPORATIONOF P vPENNSYLVANIA.

f RAILWAY-.TRAFFIQCONTROLLING: .APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

PatentedMara16, 1915.

Application filed November 113 1912.: Serial No. 730,543.

; the following is aspecification.

I Myixinv ention: relates tozithaticlassuofapparatus in which ,railwaytraflic controlling devices located along: the trackway are controlledfrom aicentral. controlling-:mecha- I nism:.-usually termed'anfinterlockingmachine; whichapparatus is well knownwin the art as anelectricinterlocking' system. I will-describe several] forms ofapparatus and circuits embodying my i invention applied.- to' the.control of a single switch, and then .point out the novel featuresthereofain claims.

A Im the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view,showiing;;one form of apparatus and: circuits-embodyingmy inventionapplied t0;atl16 control of a single switch. Figs. 2 and 31 are viewsshowing modifications of the apparatusiand circuits shown. in Fig. 1. ais a View showing in end elevation .one form of-circuit. controllingdevice shown diagrammatically in Figs. 1 to mand embodying. myinvention; and Fig. 5 is a sectional 'viewvon the line 55 of Fig.v 4.Fig. 6 is audiagrammatic view showing a; plurality of. railway switchesand signals governed bya plurality ofcontrol levers located at a:central point. Similar reference charactersrefer to; similarparts ineach of. the views.

-Referring first to Figs. 1; 2; and'3,-A designates a trafficcontrolling device, here shown as being ara-ilway switch. A This switchis actuated by-ian 'electric motorl) through the-medium of asuitableactuating mechanism F. P designates 'power mains comprisingwires ll and 12,.whichmains are supplied with current from a source 10,here shown as being abattery, and from which ..mains= current. isl-supplied to the motor D by: meansof asuitable operating circuit. Thisoperating-circuit-is controlled directly by a ,circuitcontrolling-device G, located preferably adjacent the switch A. Thiscircuit controlling; devicesis governed by a-control circuit whichincludes contacts operated by a; imannallyi operateddever C. This leverC islusu'ally a'lever of aminter. locking machine as hereafterexplained.

:T he switchoperating mechanism E which L :have. here shown may bebriefly described as follows =Operatively connected with. the armature13 of motor 'D is ascrew 15 which coacts with a-longitudinally movablenut 16. This nut is rigidly connected with ar-plate 18iprovided with acam slot 20,"which latter coacts with a roller 17 thlS-IOllGIIClIiVQS abar 19 connected with the'movable .rails of switch. A. 1 The plate 18 inFigs. 152116. 3 carries-four cams30, .31, 54: and 57, which actuaterespectively circuit controllingacontacts 32, 33, 52 and53 for purposeshereinafterzexplaineda In'Fig. 2: the cams 5l and 57 andv the contactsoperated thereby are omitted.

. The lever C may beof;any suitable type; asihere shown it is of a.usual and well known type comprising an oscillating shaft 70 whichoperates contacts21, 22, 25and 26. The contacts 21 v and. 22 constitutepolechanging contacts for reversing the direction of current in: thecircuit controlling 1 device G as hereinafter explained. The move: mentsof the shaft-7 0 are asusual governed by return indication-devices .19.and K Each. of-these.indication devices as here shown. comprises asegment. 27 mounted rigidly upon the shaft 70 and providedwith a dog "28which engages with a latchZ-29 operatively-connected with the armatureof an electromagnet N or. R. Each of-these electromagnets is providedwith a separate indicationcircuit extending from the lever C totheswitch A, the circuit for magnet N being 1 controlled by contact321andithat: for magnet R bycontact-83." One -or-the other of thesecontacts is closed afterzthe-switch A has completed its movement in onedirection or the other and has been locked, and the indication device-icorresponding tothat position of the switch is thenenergizedto permitthe controlling lever toicomplete its oscillation and to lock or unlockother levers of the interlocking machine. The contacts 25. and-2bv serveto also control the circuits of indication magnets Rand N- Thesecontacts are not moved during the: first portion ofthe movement of theshaft 70 up to the pointat which it is stopped bythe dogs 128 but duringthe remainder ofthe movement of the shaft the contacts 25 and 26 arereversed in position. This operation of contacts 25 and 26 is obtainedas here shown by mounting the contacts loosely on the shaft 70, and bymoving them by pins 73, 74, and 76 carried by members 71 and 72 fastenedto the shaft 70. The indication circuits will be traced in detailhereinafter.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, I will describe the form ofcircuit controlling device G here shown. This device comprises apolarized relay having magnets 77 and 77, and a neutral relay havingmagnets 85 and 85. The cores of these magnets are all mounted in frontand back plates 84 and 79 of non-magnetic material. The magnet cores ofthe polarized relay are con nected by a soft iron back-strap 87interposed between the back plate 79 and the magnet spools; and themagnet cores of the neutral relay are similarly connected by a soft ironback-strap 88 interposed between the front plate 84 and the magnetspools. The magnet cores of the polarized relay are provided withpole-pieces 80 and 80 which are mounted on the cores and are held inplace by nuts 128 and 129. A polarized armature 82 is mounted tooscillate between the pole-pieces 80 and 80 This armature 82 ispivotally mounted on a pin 83 carried in a soft iron head 90. Thearmature 82 is polarized in any suitable manner. As here shown thispolarization is accomplished by means of a permanent magnet 91 mountedbetween the plates 84 and 79 and passing through the head 90. The backstrap 87 extends downwardly and surrounds the permanent magnet 91 asshown in Fig. 5. The permanent magnet 91 and head 90 are held in placeby nuts 92 and 93 screwed upon the threaded ends of the permanent magnet91. Mounted upon the upper end of armature 82 is a bracket 94 ofinsulating material which carries contact fingers 95 and 96. Al though Ihave in Fig. 4 shown only two fingers 95 and 96, it is understood thatany desired number of fingers may be operated by the polarized armature82. For example in Fig. 2 I have shown three such fingers. The fingers95 and 96 are riveted in slots in suitable blocks 97 and 98 secured tothe bracket 94 by screws 99. The upper ends of these fingers engage withcontacts 100, 101, 102 and 103 which are mounted in a suitable block 104of insulating material carried by upwardly reaching arms of front plate84. It will be seen that when the armature 82 rests against pole-piece80 (the position shown in Fig. 4), fingers 95 and 96 engage respectivelywith contacts 101 and 103; and that when the armature 82 is reversed inposition so that it rests against pole-piece 80, fingers 95 and 96 willengage respectively with contacts 100 and 102. Contact fingers 95 and 96are electrically connected by means of wires 132 and 133 respectivelywith terminal posts 134 and 135 respectively, which posts are mounted ina block 136 of insulating material carried on arms 137 projectingforwardly from front plate 84. Secured to the armature 82 is an upwardlyextending locking segment 34, the upper edge of which is provided with adog 35 by means of which the armature may be mechanically locked ineither of its extreme positions, that is, against either of thepole-pieces 80 or 80 as hereinafter explained.

The magnets and 85 of the neutral relay are provided with pole-pieces 36(only one of which is shown) located at theopposite end of the magnetfrom the pole-pieces 80 and 80 of the polarized relay. These pole pieces36 act upon a neutral armature 37 carried on a vertical arm of a bentlever 38, which lever is pivoted at 39 to suitable arms 44 extendingupwardly from the back plate 79. Mounted upon this lever 38 by means ofinsulating studs 46 are one or more contact fingers, one only of which,45, appears in Fig. 5. In Fig. 2, three of these contact fingers areshown, one being provided with a back contact. The lower end of contactfinger 45 coacts with a contact 47 mounted on a block 48 of insulatingmaterial, which block is supported by suitable lugs on the back plate79. The front contact or contacts (as contact 4547) are closed when therelay 85 is energized and open when the relay is de energized. Ahorizontal arm 150 of lever 38 extends along the top of the device andcoacts with the dog 35 to control the movements of armature 82. This arm150 is guided to move vertically by a suitable slot in a lug 140 formedon the upper edge of the front plate 84. When relay 85 is deenergized,the-arm 150 rests by gravity in the bottom of the slot in lug 140 and onone side or the other of the dog 35, so that the armature 82 is thenlooked in whichever position it occupies. But when the relay 85 isenergized thereby attracting armature 37, the arm 150 is raisedsufficiently to allow dog 35 to pass under it, and the polarizedarmature 82may then be reversed.

The permanent magnet 91 is provided with a winding 89 for the purpose ofmaintaining and reinforcing the flux of this magnet. This winding may beenergized at times in manners which will hereinafter appear.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the control circuit for the winding ofpolarized relay 7 7- 77 a is as follows-from positive main 11 throughwire 40, contact 21, wire 42, windings 77 and 77", wire 106, contact 45,wire 41, contact 22, wire 43, to negative main 12. It will be seen thatthis circuit includes contact 45 which is operated by the neutral magnet85-85, and that therefore this c'ircuit is closed only when the neutralmagnet is energized. It will be seen also that this control circuitincludes the polerc'hanging contacts 21 and 22, and that therefore, whenthe lever C is reversed in position, and contact 45 is closed,-thedirection of current through the polarized relay winding will bereversed.

In Fig. 1 the windings 85 and 85 of the neutral relay are connected inseries, and are provided with terminals 50 and 51. One of theseterminals 50 is connected with control wire 41; the other terminal 51 isconnected with either the positive or the negative power main 11 or 12by contacts 52 and 53. When contact 53 is closed, as shown in thedrawing, this terminal 51 is connected with the negative main 12 throughresistance 116, contact 53 and wires 111 and 59. When the switch A isreversed in position so that contact 53 is open and contact 52 isclosed, the terminal 51 will be connected with the positive main 11through resist ance 114, contact 52 and wires 58 and 109. It will beseen therefore that relay 8585 will be energized or not according as itstwo terminals are connected with power mains of different polarity orwith the same power main.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the switch A in what I shall herein term itsnormal position, and the other parts of the apparatus in the positionscorresponding to this position of the switch. With the parts in suchpositions, both terminals of neutral relay 85 85 are connected with thenegative main 12 hence this relay is deenergized and is consuming nocurrent; contact 45 is therefore open, so that the control circuit forthe polarized relay is open and this relay is therefore consuming nocurrent. When it is desired to move switch A to its other position,which I will herein term the reverse position, the shaft of lever C isrotated in the direction of the arrow until the dog 28 of indicationdevice K engages latch 29. This movement reverses the position ofpolechanging contacts 21 and 22, thereby connecting wires 41 and 42 withthe positive and negative mains 11' and 12 respectively. Terminal 50 ofneutral relay -85, being connected with wire 41, is now connected withthe positive main 11; and since the other terminal 51 of this relay isconnected with the negative main 12, current now flows through windings85 and 85" so that the neutral relay is energized thereby raising thearm 150 out of the path of dog 35 and closing contact 45. The closing ofcontact 45 closes the circuit through the wind ings of polarized relay77 and since the pole changing contacts 21 and 22 are reversed, thecurrent flowing through the polarized relay is now in such direction asto reverse the position of armature 82. The reversal of armature 82reverses contacts and 96, so that operating current is supplied to themotor D through the following circuit from positive main 11 through wire60, winding 89, wire 62, contact 95, wire 65, motor armature 13, wire66, contact 96, Wire 67, contact 33, wires 68 and 69, motor fieldwinding 14, wire 59 to negative main 12. This current passes throughwinding 89 in such direction as to reinforce the flux of the permanentmagnet 91, thereby assuring that the fiuX of this magnet shall bemaintained. Winding 89 is preferably of low resistance so that it willnot greatly reduce the motor current. The motor D is operated by thiscurrent in such direction as to actuate the mechanism F to move switch Ato the reverse position. As soon as the motor has moved the plate 18 ashort distance, contact 52 is closed, so that terminal 51 of the neutralrelay is then connected with both the positive and negative power mainsthrough contacts 52 and 53 respectively, but this does not denergize theneutral relay 85. A circuit is then closed from positive main 11 throughwires 109 and 58, contact 52, resistance 114, resistance 116, contact53, and wires 111 and 59 to negative main 12, but the current in thiscircuit is 9 small owing to resistances 114 and 116 hence this circuitdoes no harm. When the movement of the switch A to the reverse positionhas been completed and the switch rails have been locked by thelongitudinal portion of cam slot 20, contact 33 is reversed in positionby dog 31, thereby opening the motor operating circuit; at the same timecontact 53 is reversed by dog 57, thereby disconnecting terminal 51 fromthe negative main 12 and leaving it connected only with the positivemain 11 through contact 52.. Both terminals of the neutral relaywindings are then connected with the positive main 11, so that nocurrent flows through these windings and the relay therefore opens.Lever 38 falls, thereby locking polarized armature 82 in the positionwhich it now occupies. The opening of contact 45 opens the controlcircuit of the polarized relay so that this relay then becomesdeenergized. It will be seen therefore that as soon as a movement of theswitch h as been completed, the consumption of current by thecontrolling device Gr ceases. The reversal of contact 33 closes anindication circuit through magnet R as followsfrom positive power main11 through wires 109 and 110, contact 33, wire 107, contact 25, wire 55,magnet R and wire 56, to negative power main 12. Current in this circuitenergizes magnet R which raises its armature, thereby raising latch 29out of the path of dog 28, so that the movement of the lever C may thenbe continued to the end of the stroke. During this last portion of themovement of lever C, contact 25 is reversed thereby opening the circuitof magnet R, and contact 26 is also reversed thereby closing at thatpoint the circuit for magnet N, so that the circuit for this magnet maybe closed at the switch after the latter has again been moved to itsnormal position.

The movement of switch A from its reverse position to its normalposition would be similar to that just described. For such movement thedirection of the control cur rent through the polarized relay winding isagain reversed by contacts 21 and 22, and contacts 95 and 96 are thenmoved back to the position shown in the drawing. A motor operatingcircuit is then closed through motor D as followsfrom positive powermain 11 through wire 60, winding 89, wires 62 and 64, contact 96, wire66, motor armature 13, wire 65, contact 95, wire 112, contact 32, wires113 and 69, field winding 14, wire 59 to negative power main 12. Thiscurrent passes through armature 13 in the opposite direction to thathereinbefore de scribed so that the motor then operates in the properdirection to move the switch A to its normal position. After suchmovement has been completed, indication magnet N is energized in amanner similar to that hereinbefore explained for magnet It, and themovement of the lever C can then be completed.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the apparatus here shown is similar to thatshown in Fig. 1 but with certain modifications which I will now pointout. In Fig. 2, the contacts 52 and 53 operated by the plate 18 arereplaced by an additional contact 107 operated by the polarized armature82, by means of which the terminal 51 of the neutral relay 85 isconnected with either the positive or negative power main 11 or 12through wire 127 or 128. polarized relay is the same as in Fig. 1. Themotor operating circuit is the same as in Fig. 1 except that it passesthrough a back point of a contact 49 operated by lever 38, and does notinclude the winding 89. This winding 89 as here shown is included in acircuit which is connected across the power mains P and includes a frontcontact 129 operated by lever 38. This circuit is from power main 11through wire 60, winding 89, wire'130, contact 129, wires 131 and 59 topower main 12. In the drawing the parts of the apparatus are shown inthe positions corresponding to the normal position of switch A. Theterminal 50 of neutral relay 85 is connected through wire 41 and contact22 with the negative power main 12, and terminal 51 of this relay isconnected through contact 107 and wire 128 with the negative power main12; hence the neutral relay is denergized and is not consuming Thecontrol circuit for the current. When it is desired to move switch A tothe reverse position, lever C is rotated to reverse the pole changingcontacts 21 and 22. This connects terminal 50 through wire 41 andcontact 21 with the positive main 11, and since the other terminal 51 isconnected with the negative main the neu tral relay is now energized sothat lever 38 is raised. The closing of contact 129 closes the circuitof winding 89 so that the flux in permanent magnet 91 is reinforced bythe current in this winding. The closing of contact 45 closes thecontrol circuit of the polarized relay 77, and since the pole changingcontacts 21 and 22 are now reversed, the current through the polarizedrelay windings is in such direction as to'reverse the polarized armature82. During the shifting of armature 82, contact 107 is momentarilyopened thereby momentarily opening the circuit of neutral relay 85 sothat lever 38 has a tendency to drop and open its contacts. This isprevented however because while the neutral relay circuit is open thearm 150 rests upon dog 35 thereby holding contacts 45 and 129 closed.The reversal of contact 107 connects terminal 51 through wire 127 withthe positive power main 11, so that both terminals of the neutral relayare then connected with the positive power main and this relay thereforebecomes deenergized thereby allowing arm 150 to drop and lock armature82. By this means I insure that the armature 82 is locked before themovement of the switch begins. The dropping of arm 150 closes contact49, and since contacts 95 and 96 are reversed an operating circuit forthe motor D is closed as follows-from positive power main 11 throughwire 62, contact 49, wires 63 and 64, contact 95, wire 65, armature 13,wire 66, contact 96, wire 67 contact 33, wires 68 and 69, field winding14, wire 59 to negative main 12. This current operates the motor toreverse the position of the switch A. When the movement of switch A hasbeen completed and the switch rails have been locked, contact 33 isreversed by cam 31, thereby opening the motor operating circuit justtraced and closing the circuit for the reverse indication magnet R. Theindication apparatus and circuits are the same as those shown in Fig. 1and explained hereinbefore in detail. The operation of the apparatus fora movement of the switch A back to its normal position is similar tothat just explained hence it need not be traced in detail herein.

In the form of my invention shown in Fig. 2, it will be seen that whenthe polarized armature 82 is to be reversed, the winding 89 on permanentmagnet 91. is always energized. Hence in this form it is not necessaryto depend upon the permanent magnet to polarize the armature 82sufficiently to cause reversals of this armature, 130

the flux for thispurpose being always supplied by the current in winding89. This is true when the armature S2 is to be rev reed in response toreversal of' control lever C, and also when the armature 82 has beenreversedby hand by first manually raising lever 38.- In the latter case,neutral relay 85 becomes energized as soon as armature is reversed, sothat contact 129' becemcs closed, and when the polarized armature isreleased it will be returned to its initial position because of the flowof polarizing current in winding 89. In this form of my in ention thechief function of the permanent magnet 91-is to hold the contact springs95, 96 and 10? firmly against the fixed contacts with which theycotiperate when the windings 89 and 77 are de energized. This feature isof importance in this form of my invention for two reasons, via, (1st)the winding 89 is deenergized at the time the operating current for theswitch motor is li'z iwing through con tacts 95 and 96, so that if thesecontacts are not held firmly closed the motor will not operate; and(2nd) the winding- 89 is deenergized at the time that current for theenergization of neutral relay 85 istaken through contact 107, so that ifthis con- 1 tact is imperfect the neutral relay will not operate.

It will be noted that as shown in Fig. 2 the outside stationary contactsengaged by contact hngers21 and 22 are elongated toward the middle. Thefunction accomplishedby this arrangement of the contacts is as follows.When: the switch A is to be reversed, contacts 21 and 22 are reversed,thereby causing a reversal of armature 82 I to close the motor'operatingcircuit as hereinbefore explained. If now the switch A or any part ofits operating mechanism should be clogged so that the motor D can notoperate, shaft maybe moved back toward its normal position a suflicientdistance to cause finger 22: to touch itsoutside contact and to causefinger 21 to leave its outside contact, but not far enough for finger 21to touch its inside contact. Finger 22 then connects terminal 50 withthe negative main, and since terminal 51 is then connected. with thepositive main, relay 85 is energized to open contact 49 thereby openingthe motor operating circuit. Ihe control circuit for the polarized relayis open however at contact 21, hencearmature 82 does not move andcontact 49 remains open. The opening of the-motor operating circuitavoids injury due to heavy current through this circuit, or it avoidsblowin the fuses if such are provided. It will be seen therefore that bymeans of the aparatus shown in Fig. 2 I provide for dir .ct control ofthe motor operating circuit by. the lever C.

Referring now to Fi 3, the apparatus and circuits here shown are similarto those shown in Fig. 1, except that the two windings 85' and 85 of theneutral relay are not connected in series to energize the relay.lVinding 85 is provided with terminals 125 and 120, and winding- 85 isprovided with terminals and 121. One terminal of each of these.vindings" (terminals 122 and 125) is connected with control wire 11.The remaining terminal 120 of winding 85 is connected through contact 53and wires 111 and 59, witlr negative power main 12; the remainingterminal 121 of winding 85 is connected rough contact 52and wires 58 and109 with positive power main 11. With the parts of the apparatus in thenormal position as shown in the drawing, the circuit of winding 85 isopen at contact 52; terminal 125 of winding 85 is connected withnegative main 1.2 through wire 4 1 and contact 22, and the otherterminal 120 of this winding is also connected with negative main 12,hence this winding is not energized and the relay is open. When controllever C is reversed, terminal 125 of winding 85 is connected withpositive main 11', hence this winding then becomes energized and issuliicient to raise the lever 38' thereby unlocking armature 82 andclosing contact 45. The control circuit for polarized relay 77 and themotor operating circuit are thesame as in Fig. 1 hence they need not betraced again. Immediately after the movement of plate 18 tact 52 closesthereby connecting terminal 121 of winding 85 with positive main 11.This closes the following circuit through the windings and Sai -frompositive power main 11 through wires'109 and 58, contact, 52, terminal121, winding 85*, terminals 122 and 125, winding'85, terminal 120,contact 53, wires 111 and 59 to negative power main 12. This currentpasses in such direction through the two windings S5 and l 85 that thesewindings combine to energize the relay. When the movement of theSWllZClI in has been completed, contact 53 is opened therebydisconnecting terminal 120 of winding 85 from the negative power mainand leaving both terminals ofwinding 85 connected with the positivepower main 11, so that relay 85 then consumes no current; In otherrespects theoperation of the apparatus in Fig. 3 is the same as that ofFig. 1.

In practice, there are usually a plurality of trailic controllingdevices, that is: switches, signals, etc.controlled by a plurality oflevers similar to lever C, grouped in an interlocking machine, such forexample as indicated diagrammatically in Fig. 6. Referring to this view,a plurality of levers C, C, C C and C are grouped in an interlockingmachine M. For the sake begins, coni the lever G as in Figs. 1 to 3.

H and H are two switches of a crossover controlled by one lever C, and Band B are two switches of another crossover con- 7 trolled by one leverC S is a signal controlled by a lever C, and

S is another signal controlled by a lever C The motors D and D for thecrossover switches H and H are both controlled by one circuitcontrolling device G and the motors D and D of the crossover switches Band B are similarly controlled by one circuit controlling device G 1 Oneimportant feature of switch controlling apparatus and circuits embodyingmy invention is that no current is consumed by the apparatus except whenthe switch is being moved. But in spite of this, if the lever 88 inFigs. 1, 2 and 3 is raised by hand and the polarized armature shifted toener- V gize the motor to move the switch to the position opposite tothat corresponding to the position of the control lever C, then when theparts are left to themselves the circuit controlling device G willautomatically operate to bring the switch back to the positioncorresponding to the position of the control lever. For example,referring to Fig. 1, with the parts in the positions shown, if lever 38is raised by hand and the armature 82 shifted to the opposite position,contacts 95 and 96 will close the motor circuit and the switch will bemoved toward the reverse position. If after the switch operatingmechanism has been moved far enough to close contact 52, the parts areleft to themselves, the neutral relay 8585"* will be energized becauseits terminal 50 is connected with negative main 12 and its otherterminal 51 is then connected with positive main 11. Hence armature 82will be unlocked and the direction of current through the polarizedwinding is such that this armature will be returned to the positionshown in the drawing, thereby shifting contact and 96 to cause the motorto return the switch to the normal position.

Similarly, with the modification shown in Fig. 2, if the connections tothe switch motor are reversed by raising lever 38 and shifting armature82, then when the parts are left to themselves, regardless of whether ornot the switch has started to move, the neutral relay will be energizedbecause its terminals 50 and 51 are then connected respectlvely wlthnegative and positive wires 12 and 11; armature 82 will then be reversedarmature 82 shifted, the connections to the switch motor will be closedin such direction as to reverse the switch. Then after the operatingmechanism has moved far enough to close contact 52, if the parts areleft to themselves, the neutral relay will be energized becauseterminals 122 and 121 of winding 85 are then connected respectively withnegative and positive wires 12 and 11; armature 82 will then be shiftedto its normal position thereby causing the motor to move the switch tonormal position.

Although I have herein shown and described only a few forms andarrangements of apparatus and circuits embodying my invention, it isunderstood that various changes and modifications may be made thereinwithin the scope of the appended claims without departing'from thespirit and scope of my invention.

Having-thus described my invention, what I claim is 1. In combination, arailway trafiic controlling device, a reversely operable motor foroperating said device, an electromagnetic device for controlling thereverse operations of the motor, a source of current, a pair ofconductors connected with said device, a pole-changer for reversiblyconnecting said conductors with the source, a contact included in one ofsaid conductors, a second second electromagnetic device with one pole orthe other of the source, the two said terminals being connected with thesame pole when the first electromagnetic device and the pole-changeroccupy corresponding positions whereby at such times neither of saidelectromagnetic devices is consuming current.

In combination, a railway traflic controlling device, a reverselyoperable motor for operating the device, an electromagnetic device forcontrolling the reverse operations of the motor, a source of current, apair of conductorsconnected with said electromagnetic device, apole-changer for reversibly connecting said conductors with the source,a contact included in one of said conductors, and electromagnetic meansconnected with one ofsaid conductors for controlling said contact.

3. In combination, a railway traffic controlling device, a reverselyoperable motor for operating the device, means for controlling thereverse operations. of said motor,

a source of current, a pair of conductors connected with said means,means for reversibly connecting said conductors with the said source, acontact included in one of said conductors, and electromagnetic meansconnected with one of said conductors for controlling said contact. v

4-. In combination, a railway traflic controlling device, a reverselyoperable motor for operating the device, an electromagnetic deviceresponsive to reversals of current in its winding for controlling thereverse operations of the motor, a source or" current, a pair ofconductors connected with said electromagnetic device, a pole changerfor reversibly connecting said conductors with the source, a contactincluded in one of said conductors, and electromagnetic means connectedwith one of said conductors for controlling said contact.

5. In combination, a railway trafiic controlling device, a reverselyoperable motor for operating the device, an electromagnetic deviceresponsive to reversals of current in.

its winding for controlling the reverse operations of said motor, asource of current, a pair of conductors connected with saidelectromagnetic device, a pole-changer for reversibly connecting saidconductors with the said source, a contact included in one of saidconcuctors, and means controlled by the pole-changer and by theelectromagnetic device for opening said contact when the pole-changerand the electromagnetic device occupy corresponding positions whereby atsuch times no current is consumed.

6. In combination, a railway trafiic controlling device, areverselyoperable motor for operating the device, an electromagnetic deviceresponsive to reversals of current in its windings for controlling thereverse operations of the motor, a source of current, a pair ofconductors connected with said electromagnetic device, a pole-changerfor reversib y connecting said conductors with the source, a contactincluded in one of said conductors, and means controlled by theelectromagnetic device for opening said contact when the electromagneticdevice and the pole-changer occupy corresponding positions whereby atsuch times no current is consumed.

7. In combination, a railway trailic controlling device, a polarizedrelay, contacts and connections controlled by the armature of said relayfor controlling said device, a magnet, a neutral armature for the magnetadapted to lock the polarized armature when the magnet is deenergized,means for supplying currentto the magnet, a contact controlled by theneutral armature and arranged to be closed or open according as themagnet is or is not energized, and a circuit for the winding of thepolarized relay including the said contact, said circuit including alsoa source of current and a polechanger.

8. In combination, a railway traflic-controlling device, a motor foroperating it in reverse directions, a source of current, a polarizedrelay comprising a polarized armature, contacts and connectionscontrolled by said armature for supplying current from said source tothe motor to cause the latter to operate in one direction or the otheraccording to the position of the armature; a magnet, a neutral armaturecontrolled by said magnet and adapted to lock the polarized armature ineither of its control positions when the magnet is deenerglzed, acontact operated by the neutral armature which contact is closed oropened according as the magnet is energized or deenergized, means forenergizing the magnet, and a circuit for the winding of the polarizedrelay including the last-mentioned contact, said circuit including alsothe said source and a pole-changer.

9. In combination, a railway traiiic-controlling device, a motor foroperating it in reverse directions, a source of current, a polarizedrelay comprising a polarized armature, contacts and connectionscontrolled by said armature for supplying cur rent from said source tothe motor to cause the latter to operate in one direction or the otheraccording to the position of the armature; a pair of conductorsconnected with the winding of the said relay, a polechanger forreversibly connecting said conductors with the source, a neutral relay afront contact of which is included in one of the said conductors, one ofthe terminals of said neutral relay being connected with one of saidconductors, contacts and connections operated by the polarized armaturefor connecting the other. neutral relay terminal with one pole or theother of the said source, the said terminals being connected with thesame pole when the polarized armature and the pole-changer occupycorresponding positions.

10. In combination, a railway traflic-controlling device, a motor foroperating it in reverse directions, a source of current, a polarizedrelay comprising a polarized armature, contacts and connectionscontrolled by said armature for supplying current from said source tothe motor to cause the latter to operate in one direction or the otheraccording to the position of the armature; a pair of conductorsconnected with the winding of said relay, a pole-changer for reversiblyconnecting said conductors with the source, a magnet, an armaturecontrolled thereby and adapted to lock the polarized armature in eitherof its control positions when the magnet is deenergized, one terminal ofthe magnet being connected with one of said conductors, contacts andconnections operated by the polarized armature for connecting the otherterminal of the magnet with one pole or the other of the source, thesaid magnet terminals being connected with the same pole when thepolarized armature and the pole-changer occupy corresponding positions.

11. In combination, a railway tra'Hic controlling device, a motor foroperating it in reverse directions, a source of current, a polarizedrelay comprising a permanent magnet and a polarized armature, contactsand connections controlled by the said armature for supplying currentfrom the source to the motor to cause the latter to operate in onedirection or the other, a neutral relay, means for supplying current tothe winding of said neutral relay; a circuit for the winding of thepolarized relay including the source of current, a polechanger and afront contact of the neutral relay; a winding for the permanent magnetfor augmenting the permanent flux therein, and a circuit for thelast-mentioned winding including the said source of current and anotherfront contact of the neutral relay.

12. In combination, a railway trafliccontrolling device a motor foroperating it in reverse directions, a polarized relay comprising anarmature, contacts and connections controlled by said armature forcontrolling the motor, a source of current, a circuit for the winding ofsaid relay including the source of current, a pole-changer for reversingthe connection of the said winding with the source, a magnet, anarmature controlled by the magnet and adapted to lock the polarizedrelay armature in either of its 7 control positions, one terminal ofsaid magnet being connected with the said circuit between the polarizedrelay winding and the pole-changer, contacts and conductors controlledby the said polarized relay armature device for connecting the otherterminal of the magnet with one pole or the other of the sourceaccording to the position occupied by the polarized relay armature, thetwo said terminals being connected with the same pole of the source whenthe polarized relay armature and the pole-changer occupy correspondingpositions.

13. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals ofcurrent, a circuit for said device including a source of current and apole-changer, a contact included in said circuit, means controlled bysaid pole-changer and by said electromagnetic device for causing saidcontact to be open or closed according as the pole-changer and theelectromagnetic device do or do not occupy corresponding positions, anda railway traflic controlling device governed by said electromagneticdevice.

14. In combination, a railway traflic controlling device,electromagnetic means for controlling said device, a circuit for thecontrol of said electromagnetic means, a relay for controlling saidcircuit, and a circuit for said relay governed by said electromagneticmeans.

15. In combination, a railway tratlic controlling device,electromagnetic means responsive to reversals of current for controllingsaid device, a circuit for said means including a source of current anda polechanger, and a circuit controller adapted to control said circuitand governed by said device responsive to reversals of current, a

source of current, a pole-changer for re versibly connecting said sourcewith said device, means for disconnecting said source from or connectingit with said electromag netic device according as the polechanger andthe electromagnetic device do or do not occupy corresponding positions,and a railway trafiic controlling device governed by saidelectromagnetic device.

18. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals ofcurrent, a circuit for said device including a source of current and apole-changer, a relay comprising a contact for controlling said circuit,a circuit for the relay controlled by the electromagnetic device, and arailway traflic controlling device controlled by the electromagneticdevice and by the relay.

19. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals ofcurrent and including a permanent magnet, a circuit for said deviceincluding a source of current and a pole-changer, a relay, a circuit forthe relay controlled by the electromagnetic device, a winding for thepermanent magnet, a circuit for said winding controlled by the relay,and a railway traffic controlling device controlled by saidelectromagnetic device.

20. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals ofcurrent and including a permanent magnet, a circuit for said deviceincluding a source of current and a pole-changer, a relay, a circuit forthe relay controlled by the electromagnetic device, and a railwaytraffic controlling device trolling device controlled? by: theelectromagnetic device and by the relay.

*21. In combination, an electromagnetic device responslve r to reversalsof current, a

circuit for-said device including a source device responsive toreversalsofcurrent, a

source of current, a pair of conductors connected with said device,a-p'ole-changer for reversibly connectingsaid source with saidconductors, a relay having a front contact included inione of saidconductors, one'terminalofsaid relay being connected with one of saidconductors, means controlled'by said electromagnetic device forconnecting the other relay'terminal with: one pole or: the otherlof saidsource, the relay terminals being connected with the same pole of 'thesource when the electromagneticdevice and the pole-changer :occupycorresponding positions,and a railway traiiic controlling'devicegoverned bysaid electromagnetic device. 28. In combination, anelectromagnetic device responsive to ireversalsof current, a

source of current, a pair ofsconductors connected with said device,=-apole-changer for reversibly connecting said source \with saidconductors, a :relay having ;a frontcontact included inione of saidconductors,.0ne terminalofsaid relaybeing connected vwith one of saidconductors, means con-trolled by said electromagnetic device forconnecting :the other relay terminal with one'pole :or the other ofsaidsource, .the relayv terminals being connected with "the same pole of thesource when :the electromagnetic device and the-.pole-changer occupycorresponding po -sitions, whereby after each operation ofsthe ipolechanger and :the consequent operation of'the electromagnetic device andrelay there will b61110 current consumed bythe latter devices, and arailway traffic controllin'g device governed by said electromagneticdevice.

24=In combination, @an electromagnetic .device responsive to reversalsof current, a sourcelof current,,a pair of-conductors connected withsaid device, a pole-changer for reversibly connecting said source withsaid conductors, a relay having a front contact included'in one-oi saidconductors, rone terminal of said relaybeing connected with one of saidconductors,-means controlled by said electromagnetic device forconnecting the other relay terminal with one pole or the other ofsaidsource, the :relay terminals being connected with the samepole of thesource when the electromagneticdevme and the =pole-changer occupycorresponding positions, whereby after each operation of thepole-changer an'dthe consequent operation of the electromagnetic deviceand relay there is no current consumed by the latter devices,

and whereby if the electromagnetic device controllingdevice governed bysaid electromagnetic device.

*25. 111 combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversalsof I current, I a source of current, a pair of conductors connected"Nitlrsaid device, a pole-changer 'for reversibly connecting saidconductors with said, source, a relay for controlling said=elec:tromagnetic device, one terminal oi -said relay being connected withone oiisaidconductors, means controlled by said electromagnetic-device*for connecting the other terminal o-fsaid relay with one pole or theother of said source, and a railway tra'flic controlling devicecontrolled by said electromagnetic device.

26. In combination, an electromagnetic device-responsive to reversalsofcurrent, a source of current apairiof conductors con- ;nectedwith :saiddevice, a pole changer for vreversibly connecting said 1 conductors withsaid source, a relay for controlling the-circuit of said device and formechanically locking :the movable: member of: said device, one :terminalof said relaybeing connected with one of said conductors, rmeanscontrolled by said electromagnetic device for connectingthe otherterminal of said relay with :one :pole or the other of said source, anda 'railway traflic controlling devicercontrolled by said-electromagneticdevice.

27. "In combination, an electromagnetic device, a circuit for thecontrol thereof, a relay ,for controlling the circuit 0f said device'andfor mechanically lockingthe movable member of said device, a circuit forthe relay controlled by said electromagnetic device,-and a railwaytraflic controlling device controlled by said electromagnetic device.

28. In combination, an electromagnet and anwinding, an armaturecontrolled by said elements and responsive to reversals of cur rent insaid winding, a circuit for said wind ing including a source ofcurrent'and a polechanger, means controlled by the electromagnet forcontrolling the circuit of said winding,-and a circuit for saidelectromagnetcontrolled by said armature.

29. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals ofcurrent, a source of current, means for reversing the direction ofcurrent from said source to said electromagnetic device, and meanscontrolled by said current reversing means and by said electromagneticdevice for controlling the supply of current to the electromagneticdevice.

30. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals ofcurrent, a source of current, means for reversing the direction ofcurrent from said source to said electromagnetic device, and meanscontrolled by said current reversing means and by said electromagneticdevice for controlling the supply of current to the electromagneticdevice, whereby after each operation of the current reversing means andthe consequent operation of the electromagnetic device there will be nocurrent flow in the electromagnetic device.

31. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals ofcurrent, a source of current, means for reversing the current flowtherefrom to said electromag netic device, a relay for controlling theflow of current from said source to the electromagnetic device, andmeans controlled by the electromagnetic device and by the currentreversing means for controlling the supply of current to said relay,whereby the electromagnetic device and the relay are both deenergizedwhen the electromagnetic device and the current reversing means occupycorresponding positions.

32. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals ofcurrent, a source of current, means for reversing the current flowtherefrom to said electromagnetic device, a relay for controlling theflow of current from said source to the electromagnetic device, andmeans controlled by the electromagnetic device and by the currentreversing means for controlling the supply of current to said relay,whereby after an operation of the current reversing means and theconsequent operation of the electromagnetic device and the relay thereis no current flow in the two latter devices.

33. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversals ofcurrent, a railway traflic controlling device governed thereby, a sourceof current, means for reversing the flow of current from said source tosaid electromagnetic device, and means controlled by the electromagneticdevice and by the current reversing means for controlling the supply ofcurrent from said source to said electromagnetic device whereby theelectromagnetic device is deenergized when said device and the currentreversing means occupy corresponding positions.

34:. In combination, an electromagnetic device responsive to reversalsof current, a railway traific controlling device governed thereby, asource of current, means for reversing the flow of current from saidsource to said electromagnetic device, and means controlled by theelectromagnetic device and by the current reversing means forcontrolling the supply of current from said source to saidelectromagnetic device whereby the electromagnetic device is deenergizedwhen said device and the current reversing means occupy correspondingpositions, and whereby if the electromagnetic device is reversed fromthe position corresponding to the position of the current reversingmeans the electromagnetic device becomes energized from the source andreturns to itsproper position.

35. In combination, an electromagnetic device having a movable memberwhich is moved by reversals of current in the electromagnetic device, asource 01": current, a polechanger for reversibly connecting said sourcewith said electromagnetic device, a relay for controlling the flow ofcurrent to said electromagnetic device, a circuit controller operated bythe movable member of the electromagnetic device for controlling inconnection with the pole-changer the supply of current to said relay,and a railway tralfic controlling device governed by said movable memberof the electromagnetic device.

36. In combination, an electromagnetic device having two windings andresponsive to reversals of current in one of said windings, a source ofcurrent, means for reversibly energizing the said one winding from saidsource, a relay, means controlled by said electromagnetic device and bysaid current reversing means for deenergizing or energizing said relayaccording as said electromagnetic device and said current reversingmeans do or do not occupy corresponding positions, means controlled bysaid relay for supplying current from said source to the other of saidwindings when the relay is energized, the current supplied to saidlatter winding being always in the same direction, and a railway traificcontrolling device controlled by said electromagnetic device.

37. In combination, an electromagnetic device having two windings andresponsive to reversals of current in one of said windings, a source ofcurrent, means for reversibly supplying current from said source to thesaid one winding, means controlled by said electromagnetic device and bysaid current reversing means for deenergizing or energizing the otherwinding from said source according as the electromagnetic de- 1 vice andthe current reversing means do or do not occupy corresponding positions,the current supplied to said latter winding being always in onedirection, and a railway traffic controlling device controlled by said 1electromagnetic device.

88. In combination, an electromagnetic device having two windings andresponsive to reversals of current in one of said windings,-a source ofcurrent, a pair of conductors connected with the said one Winding, apole-changer for reversibly connecting said conductors with said source,a relay one terminal of which is connected with one of said conductors,means controlled by said electromagnetic device for connecting the otherterminal of said relay with one pole or the other of said source, therelay terminals being connected with the same pole of said source whenthe pole-changer and the electromagnetic device occupy correspondingposition, means controlled by said relay for supplying current from saidsource to the other of said windings when the relay is energ'ized, thecurrent supplied to said latter winding being always in the samedirection, and a railway traffic controlling device controlled by saidelectromagnetic device.

39. In combination, an electromagnetic device comprising two windingssaid device being responsive to reversals of current in one of saidwindings, a circuit for the said one winding including a pole-changer, acircuit for the other winding, means for supplying current to saidcircuits, means controlled by said electromagnetic device and by saidpole-changer for opening or closing said last-mentioned circuitaccording as the electromagnetic device and the pole-changer do or donot occupy corresponding positions, and a railway trafiic controllingdevice controlled by said electromagnetic device.

40. In combination, an electromagnetic device having two windings andresponsive to reversals of current in one of said windings, a circuitfor said one winding including a pole-changer, means for supplyingcurrents to said circuit and to the other Winding, the current suppliedto said other winding being always in one direction, means controlled bysaid electromagnetic device and by said pole-changer for deenergizing orenergizing said windings according as the electromagnetic device and thepole-changer do or do not occupy corresponding positions, saidelectromagnetic device also comprising a permanent magnet for holdingthe contacts thereof firmly closed while the windings are deenergized,and a railway traffic controlling device controlled by saidelectromagnetic device.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK J. ACKERMAN.

Witnesses:

A. L. VENGILL, MnNA QUEALE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner 01. Patents.

Washington, D. G.

